Bladen County Schools Sheds Low-Performing Label

After years of focused effort, Bladen County Schools in North Carolina has officially shed its low-performing district label, marking a major turnaround for the 13-school system.

The achievement came after 91% of district schools increased overall proficiency and 75% met or exceeded expected academic growth during the 2025-26 school year. The milestone places Bladen County among just 10 remaining low-performing districts statewide, down from 23 the previous year.

"This is an important moment for Bladen County Schools and a reflection of the tremendous work happening across our district," said Superintendent Dr. Jason Atkinson. He credited students, teachers, staff, families, and the broader community for the collective achievement.

The district's crown jewel is Bladen Early College High School, which became the first school in district history to earn an A performance grade. The school jumped from a B rating while increasing proficiency by 21.1% and exceeding its academic growth target.

Several other schools climbed the state's grading scale too. Bladen Lakes Primary, Dublin Primary, and East Bladen High School each improved from D to C grades, while East Arcadia School moved from an F to a D before closing as part of district consolidation.

Science scores drove much of the improvement, with every school posting gains and an average increase of nearly 14 points per school. The district partnered with the Sandhills Regional Educational Consortium for intensive teacher training after disappointing 2024-25 science results.

The gains mirror statewide improvements across North Carolina. The state's four-year graduation rate hit a record 88.8%, and the percentage of schools receiving D or F grades dropped from 31% to 23%.

The Ripple Effect

Bladen County's transformation shows what's possible when entire communities commit to educational improvement. The district's focus on targeted professional development and instructional support created a model that neighboring districts are watching closely.

With science conquered, the district plans to tackle reading next using the same collaborative approach. Teachers and principals will receive intensive professional development throughout the 2026-27 school year.

Superintendent Atkinson emphasized the journey continues. "We celebrate this progress, but we also recognize that there is more work to do," he said, pledging to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

For a district that struggled with the low-performing label, these results prove that sustained effort and community partnership can flip the script entirely.